Congressional Medal of Honor Society
Stories of Sacrifice
World War I - U.S. Army
Alvin Cullium York
Details
- Rank: Corporal (Highest Rank: Sergeant)
- Conflict/Era: World War I
- Unit/Command:
Company G, 2d Battalion,
328th Infantry 82d Division - Military Service Branch: U.S. Army
- Medal of Honor Action Date: October 8, 1918
- Medal of Honor Action Place: near Chatel-Chehery, France
Citation
After his platoon had suffered heavy casualties and three other noncommissioned officers had become casualties, Cpl. York assumed command. Fearlessly leading seven men, he charged with great daring a machine-gun nest which was pouring deadly and incessant fire upon his platoon. In his heroic feat the machine-gun nest was taken, together with four officers and 128 men and several guns.
Additional Details
- Accredited to: Pall Mall, Fentress County, Tennessee
- Awarded Posthumously: No
- Presentation Date & Details:
April 1918 in France, presented by Maj. Gen. Duncan, commanding general 82nd Division
- Born: December 13, 1887, Fentress County, TN, United States
- Died: September 2, 1964, Nashville, TN, United States
- Buried: Wolf River Cemetery (MH), Pall Mall, TN, United States
- Location of Medal: Tennessee State Museum, Nashville, TN
From the CMOHS Archives
Although many articles and movies depict General Pershing as the one who presented the Medal of Honor to York, telegrams in York's Military Personnel File say his division commander, General Duncan, was the one who presented the Medal to York in France.